MANILA, May 29 — When the verdict was finally handed down Tuesday by the Senate, sitting as an impeachment court, convicting Supreme Court Chief Justice Renato Corona of betrayal of public trust and culpable violation of the Constitution, there were no backslapping, no high fives or exuberant display of joy from the House of Representatives' prosecution panel — just mostly relief, and a certain degree of sadness.

MANILA, May 29  The Senate, sitting as impeachment court, voted on Tuesday to convict Chief Justice Renato Corona, making him the first chief magistrate in the countrys history to be ousted two years after he was appointed by former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

May 30, 2012 10:15 am· Comments Off on Senates guilty verdict seen to restore peoples trust in government institutions

By Jelly F. Musico

MANILA, May 30 - The Senate, sitting as impeachment court, has made history on Tuesday when, for the first time, it removed the highest magistrate of the land via a 20-3 vote after long 44 days of nationally-televised impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona.

MANILA, May 30  The Defense Ministers of the Philippines and China have pledged to keep their lines open in efforts to de-escalate their mutual tension on the Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea, it was reported.

MANILA, MAY 29  Two Japanese ship training vessels (JSTV) sailed into Pier 15 at the Manila South Harbor on Tuesday mid-morning, May 29, signaling the continuing friendship and alliance of Tokyo and Manila that extends to naval defense and maritime security matters.

MANILA, May 30 — Government of the Philippines (GPH) peace panel chair Marvic Leonen underlined that meaningful autonomy, which the GPH and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) have been eyeing to achieve for the Bangsamoro people, is collective and democratic."

May 30, 2012 10:15 am· Comments Off on UNHCR says over 14,000 displaced in Somalia's Afgooye

by Peter Mutai

NAIROBI, May 29 — The UN refugee agency said on Tuesday some 14,000 Somalis have been displaced from Afgooye, about 30 km northwest of Mogadishu, as a result of military activity in the area which started a week ago.

SEOUL, May 30 — North Korea has lashed out at the United States for its recent annual report critical of Pyongyang's dismal human rights conditions, calling the move a "product of the U.S. hostile policy" toward the North.

UNITED NATIONS, May 30 — The UN office in Guinea-Bissau has condemned the use of force against demonstrators by the country's security and defense forces, UN spokesman Martin Nesirky said here Tuesday.